If you saw my post below about this then you might know I am getting excited about this. I just called SWMBO and told her the plan. Surprisingly she didn't automatically say no!
This will mean I have to get rid of one of the other coupes though, and the boat and the truck.......

So back to the question, what other ways to tell if it is real other than what I mentioned in my previous post?
I think the responses I got have made me want this car even more than ever.
TIA

This is from a book that I have.
Blacked out grille with Lucas fog lamps, no horse and corral.
Fiberglass side scoops, rear deck lid and rear panel with formed spoiler., shelby tail lights.
The louvered hood was standard with twist locks.
And the decals, of course.

I could find no rust on my quick inspection. The guy said he bought it from someone in Simi 12 years ago (from original owner), he also lives in Simi. I will investigate for rust further.
I checked out http://www.californiaspecial.com/forums.htmbut it really does not tell you how to tell for sure. All the items could be transfered from other vechiles.
Marti report the only way?

If I was at home I could be a lot more specific with all the books and the California Special in the garage for reference, but:

*The vin shopuld start with 8R01. If it doesn't then you are through verifying. The San Jose plant was the only one making them.

*Aside from the rear fiberglass end caps and decklid the tailight panel should look uncut except for some round holes. If the panel is cut for the rectagular lights to fit through w/o any panel material behind the light unit then they skimped on the "clone" and you have a fake.

*The hoodlocks have a latch under the hood where they secure when turned. These latches are integrated into the grill with rivets and welded to the radiator support. Clone jobs sometimes leave these off as the hood looks right w/o them and functions fine except it doesn't have the extra locking feature. These are hard to find and integrate with the blackout grill.

*The gas cap is pop open and may have a GT emblem or not.

*The non-functional sccops on the side.

*The California Special script on the rear quarter. In the real deal the "California" is not centered over the "Special" but rather is toward the front of the car more. This is a common mistake.

*They always had factory dual exhaust with the four (two on each side) extensions. Look under the car rear seat for the GT hanging straps or the remnants of where they were bolted through. (My car only has the remnants as someone put after market duals and changed the way they were hung).

If you have more questions, post this evening. I'll try to get back later when I can look at it and my books. (I'm at work and my employees probably think I'm writing some long e-mail as my keyborad skills SUCK)

Thanks Doug,
The script is placed ritght, I will check on the hool lock mounting.
The exhaust was modified and exits before diff. I will look for hanger location when I get under there.
the tail light pannel is as you described. I will check the VIN for San Jose build.
Thanks again this will really hepl!

I had a thought, why don't you check with Marti and get whats called a quick report, that will end all questions and you will know for sure. I know he has a web site and occasionally monitors this site.

1 - not all CS's had dual exhaust. CS's could have been ordered with any engine available in 68, from the 6 cyl to the 428
2 - the hood lock retainers were bolted (not welded) to the rad support, where the adjustable hood bumpers would have originally been, and the hood bumpers were relocated to the edge of the fenders.
3 - mostly all CS's had the horse emblem on the gas cap , although some mistaking did leave the factory with GT gas caps
4 - the original grill, is kind of like a modified 67 grill, with different style fog light bracket ( different than GT fog light bracket), there should be no mounting holes for horse and corral , like the 68 grill
5 - the underside of the trunk lid should be smooth and have crisp , nice edges on the cross member. No rough fiberglass
6 - the tail light harness is unique to GT/CS,

and of course all CS's had 8R01 as the first four digits in the VIN, all made at San Jose Plant , and all were coupes.

but if all checks out...I'd would still recommend a Marti report

hope this help

also, what is the VIN # of this car , I will check to see if it is in the registry

The original panels had better fit but the gel coat finish was not as good.(resin technology) Look at the trunk lid at a low angle with the sun to your back. As you look straighten up. You should see a "print through" of the fiberglass mat. not a smooth shimmery look but kind of like a window screen. No amount of paint will cover that up. Look in the trunk. Does the taillight panel have 2 extra nice round holes? if it doesn't, beware. If it does, check to see if the panel has been replaced. Does it have a factory looking harness? Add this to what everyone else says. Just because it has a 8R01 vin doesn't automatically make it a Cal Special but it's a start.Good luck on your find !

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